Borussia Dortmund have announced that January loan signing Emre Can is making his move permanent. The 26-year old has signed from Juventus just 18 days after completing the loan switch from Turin. Can has signed a four-year deal in a move believed to be worth €24 million.
Dortmund Sign Emre Can on Permanent Deal
Impressive Return
Can enjoyed an impressive start to life back in Germany. On his Dortmund debut, he scored a spectacular goal from 30 yards out in the 4-3 defeat to his former side Bayer Leverkusen. His only other appearance was in the 4-0 home victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Regardless, Dortmund’s hierarchy saw value in the market and operated swiftly to get their man.
Dortmund’s main purpose for this signing is for stability and balance in the midfield. Lucian Favre is opting for a back three currently; with all the attacking talent he has, the midfield needs to be work-man like. He offers protection for the defence, whilst also being able to pick a pass, and on his day, score from distance too. In his two Bundesliga appearances, he is already proving his value, scoring once and averaging four tackles and 1.5 interceptions per 90 minutes.
Where Did it Go Wrong at Juventus?
Can joined Juventus from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2018. Max Allegri wanted to strengthen his midfield options in search of the allusive Champions League trophy and saw him as a major part of his plans. In his first campaign, he made 29 League starts in a title-winning campaign and also made six starts in the Champions League.
Allegri has since left Turin and his successor, Maurizio Sarri, is not Can’s biggest fan. Instead, he opts for midfield options such as Miraljem Pjanic and Balise Matuidi. In the first six months of the season, Can only made two starts in Italy, and six appearances off the bench. Clearly a player of his talent should be playing regular football, therefore, the loan move was sanctioned.
Manchester United were linked with a move for the German, given their lack of midfield options. However, Dortmund got the move over the line as a loan initially.
Dortmund’s Sporting Director, Michael Zorc, said upon the signing, “In Emre Can, we’re signing a Germany international who can be deployed in several positions in defence and central midfield across multiple systems. A player with technique and a physical presence who possesses a strong will to win.”
Evidently, BVB staff have seen enough to sanction the €25million move from the limited time he has spent at the club. Can will be looking to kickstart his career once more after a disappointing time in Italy.
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